§ The Select Committee to inquire into fictitious votes (Scotland) having been nominated,
§ The Speakersaid, I hope that the House will allow me to recall their attention to the discussion which took place a few nights ago, with respect to the evidence taken before Select Committees. It is probable that it will be an important part of the duly of the Committee now appointed to examine witnesses, and to report their evidence to the House. The occasion, therefore, is appropriate. When this House appoints a Select Committee to inquire into and report upon any matter referred to them, a very important duty is devolved upon the members of the Committee, who are responsible, end are bound to discharge it with accuracy and fidelity. A practice has prevailed of allowing witnesses to alter and add to the testimony they have given before the Committee; and this, too, without the alterations and additions being submitted to the Committee, so that the witness might be examined as to the alterations or additions. This practice cannot be defended. It is not evidence given in the presence of the Committee, but evidence altered and added to by the witness in his private apartment. This practice, when carried to the extent that is now not uncommon, tends to destroy the character for accuracy and fidelity which ought to be impressed on evidence which purports to have been given in the presence of the Committee. The witnesses have been in the habit of retaining the evidence in their possession for so great a length of time as 145 to have, in very many instances, delayed the printing and circulation of the Report and Evidence, to the serious inconvenience of this House. The simplest way of correcting these evils is, by requiring that the evidence, when written out from the shorthand writer's notes, should be sent direct to the printer, so that it may be printed forthwith. If the witness chooses to see his evidence after it has been printed, he may attend the Committee for the purpose of correcting any verbal mistakes, to which, as a rule, corrections ought to be limited. If the witness wishes to vary and add to his evidence, he ought to be re-examined before the Committee, and be subjected to proper examination. It has been suggested, that cases occur, in which witnesses are examined as to opinions on difficult and abstruse subjects; and that they cannot answer satisfactorily on the sudden; and, therefore, that in such cases alterations and additions ought to be sanctioned. The remedy for this is, that the witness, if he be not prepared to answer on the sudden, should ask for delay, and a future day should be appointed for his examination. By these means the evidence will be what it ought to be—evidence given before the Committee; and where an opportunity has been afforded for examining the witness as to all the facts and opinions contained in his evidence. Greater attention on the part of the Chairman and the Committee may be necessary, if these rules are adhered to. But, in truth, time is always saved by doing business with care and accuracy; and especially it is important that the questions proposed by Members should be stated with brevity, clearness, and precision. The shorthand writers ought always to be sure that they have collected accurately the question or the answer before they write it down; and hence the necessity for alteration will be avoided. If the shorthand writers be inefficient, the Committee have a right to expect that they shall be attended by efficient persons, as the remuneration given by this House is ample. The name of the shorthand writer who attends a Committee, should, on each day of the sitting of such Committee, be given to the Chairman; and the shorthand writer ought to sign his own notes. In all this there is nothing of novelty; it is only reverting to the ancient and better practice of this House, and it is in conformity with the practice which prevails in Election 146 Committees. If it shall be the pleasure of the House to sanction the course now suggested, it will be my duty to do all in my power to secure the observance of these rules.